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2d ago

Japan Rebuts False Visa Claims Over JICA’s ‘Africa Hometown’ Initiative

JICA seeks corrections after misreports fueled thousands of complaints to four partner cities.

In Imabari, Japan, officials received a large number of complaints over a scheme to make the city "hometown" for a partner country in Africa
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi answers questions at a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, on June 16, 2025.
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Overview

  • JICA designated Kisarazu, Sanjo, Imabari and Nagai as symbolic hometowns paired with Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania for cultural exchanges, volunteers and training programs.
  • Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said reports of special visas or new immigration measures were baseless and that Japan has no plans to accept immigrants under the scheme.
  • After requests from Japan, Nigeria deleted its initial announcement and reposted a corrected notice that removed claims about a special visa for Nigerians to live and work in Kisarazu.
  • Local offices reported surges in inquiries, including 350 calls and 3,500 emails to Sanjo since Aug 25 and 460 calls and 1,400 emails to Imabari in a day, with officials describing nonstop phone traffic.
  • A viral X post alleging Kisarazu was being handed over to Africans drew about 4.6 million views, intensifying a backlash tied to rising anti‑immigration sentiment in Japan.